World Business and Development Awards Open Call for Business Contributions to Sustainable Development

Posted on February 4, 2012 by planbr

New York, NY / London / Paris (PRWEB) February 02, 2012

The World Business and Development Awards today launched a call for nominations for successful business initiatives that are in line with the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. All organisations, regardless of size or location, engaged in innovative business models that are delivering both commercial success and helping improve social, economic and environmental conditions are eligible to apply online by 25th March 2012 by downloading the form at http://www.worldbusinessawards.net/nominate.

The award ceremony will be held on 19th June, when governments convene in Brazil at the Rio+20 Conference, closing the Business Action for Sustainable Development Business Day.

Celebrating a decade of biennial award giving, the World Business and Development Awards are organized by the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership this year with the Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UN Global Compact. The Awards demonstrate how companies can, through their core business activities, help achieve the Millennium Development Goals ? eight internationally agreed targets to reduce poverty and environmental degradation and improve education, health conditions and gender equality by 2015.

?When businesses apply the full force of their core business activities to development challenges and measure their success both by profit and social outcomes, there is no limit to what can be achieved,? said Clare Melford, CEO of IBLF. ?We hope that the WBDA will again stimulate businesses of all sizes and in all regions to bring forward their best examples and so accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs.?

The 2012 Awards will be given explicitly to companies delivering inclusive business models: sustainable, commercially-viable business initiatives that expand access for low-income people to goods and services, or improve their livelihoods by engagement in value chains as direct employees, suppliers or distributors, while also generating sales and profit growth.

In honour of the Rio+20 host country, there will be a special category designated for Brazil-based companies.

By bringing together examples of innovative, effective business practices, the World Business and Development Awards will also provide leading businesses and entrepreneurs with a valuable platform for networking and sharing experiences and promote best practices after Rio+20. This will encourage other businesses and governments to replicate and scale initiatives.

An international judging panel made up of representatives of the organising partners as well as non-governmental organisations, universities, business entities, and international institutions will determine this year?s winners. A workshop on inclusive business will take place prior to the Awards ceremony.

In 2010, the Awards received an unprecedented 172 nominations, representing a variety of business and commercial endeavours undertaken by business associations, non-governmental organisations and individual companies from more than 42 countries. Diverse in nature, the 10 winning initiatives ranged from low-income housing in Mexico and assisting farmers in Sierra Leone, to offering affordable maternal health services in India.

?Past award winners have shown how companies can help boost sustainable growth and development,? said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. ?They can be a tremendous source of innovative and sustainable solutions which help transform people?s lives for the better.?

?As progress towards the Millennium Development Goals comes under threat in the current economic climate, the Awards will highlight the critical role of the private sector in stimulating sustainable economic growth and development,? said ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier.

The World Business Development Awards

In addition to IBLF, ICC and UNDP, supporting Partners include the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Associated partners include the Business Call to Action (BCtA) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

The International Business Leaders Forum works with business, governments and civil society to enhance the contribution that companies can make to sustainable development. Founded originally by HRH The Prince of Wales, IBLF is an independent, not-for-profit organization currently supported by over 100 of the world?s leading businesses.

The International Chamber of Commerce is the largest, most representative business organization in the world. Its hundreds of thousands of member companies in over 120 countries have interests spanning every sector of private enterprise. A world network of national committees keeps ICC International Secretariat in Paris informed about national and regional business priorities. More than 2,000 experts drawn from ICC?s member companies feed their knowledge and experience into crafting ICC stance on specific business issues. The United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the G20 and many other intergovernmental bodies, both international and regional, are kept in touch with the views of international business through ICC.

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Through development co-operation, the Netherlands works on reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To this end, the Netherlands co-operates with the private sector and promotes and supports partnerships with civil society organizations, businesses and knowledge institutions. The Netherlands invests in economic growth as an engine for development and poverty reduction. Through co-operation with the private sector and through public-private partnerships, additional resources and business sector expertise are leveraged towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency works according to directives of the Swedish Parliament and Government to reduce poverty in the world, a task that requires cooperation and persistence. Through development cooperation, Sweden assists countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Sida provides resources and develops knowledge, skills and expertise. This increases the world

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Please help with essay on the 13 American colonies?

Posted on February 2, 2012 by planbr

Question by Blitzball Player!: Please help with essay on the 13 American colonies?
“Before 1763, economic issues, rather than religious positions, determined the development of American colonies. Explore the validity of this statement by discussing three of the following choices I chose Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
heres my essay

Before 1763, economic issues, rather than religious positions, determined the development of American Colonies” The statement is proven to be true through the American colonies of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Economic issues contributed to the development of the thirteen American colonies. Though some of the American colonies grew prosperous from trade, the thirteen colonies face economic problems such as mercantilism, and tight control over the land.
During the 1600s the British sought to control colonies in the Americas. Finding colonies would help the English with trade and finance. Maryland, which was established in 1632, and Virginia which was established in 1607 contributed to the British imposing ideals of mercantilism on the colonies. Like most colonies Maryland and Virginia’s economy was centered around farming and the trade of tobacco. In Maryland tobacco prices collapsed so a mixed economy developed a mixed farming economy which is the use of a single farm for multiple uses. This would later on lead to the need for indentured servants and later on the enslavement of Africans. As the southern and eastern parts of the province continued tobacco trading the northern part of Maryland became the center of wheat production. Virginia held a high exportation of tobacco especially in Jamestown.
Virginia also had the two competing companies, which were the Plymouth Company and the London Company. Once Britain realized how prosperous the American colonies were getting from trade they decided to follow the ideals of mercantilism. Mercantilism is an economic theory where the colony would export raw materials to the mother country that would then turn the raw materials into manufactured goods that are then sold to the colonies. From 1650 and on, England imposed a series of laws of trade and navigation known as the Navigation. The purpose of the Navigation acts was to limit colonial trade to the British only. If the colonies wanted to ship to other nations, all goods had to first be shipped to England, so the British could handle them and collect revenue from taxation. The American colonists and many other colonists who give their materials to the mother country first became upset because they were not getting the exact profits that they would have if they did not have to share the trade. Though mercantilism contributed to ideals of a revolution, the colonies had developed a more balanced and favorable trade.
Pennsylvania was an American colony that was established in 1681. The colony not only prospered from trade but also gained lands from the Natives. The Native Lenape in Delaware agreed to sell a portion of land between the junction of the Delaware River and the Lehigh River. Even though American colonists had gained these lands, it contributed to the fact that the British could tighten control over large lands for tr

Best answer:

Answer by Oliver
I have used many essay writing services to date and I personally feel that instead of using services that cost a lot of money one should try inexpensive services. I have used two very impressive services namely academic writer and honest Essays. I have got several papers done from them and I have got great grades. I would highly recommend these services to people. You will find the link of both below for further reference.

academicwriter1@gmail.com
honestessays@gmail.com

Hope this helps.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Q&A: Theories on Economics and Education in Developing Countries?

Posted on February 2, 2012 by planbr

Question by Me: Theories on Economics and Education in Developing Countries?
Hi,
I’m writing a paper on Economic Development in poor countries through the lense of economics. I want to do a review of the literature first, so can anyone recommend any economists works I should read? Any specific papers or theories that are prominant in the field of education/ educational policy in economic growth?

I’ve read a lot on “The Human Capital Theory” and a little on “Screening Theory,” but is there anything else? Or could someone suggest significant papers in the above two theories? Anything would help.

Thanks.
Sorry, I meant “through the lense of education”

Best answer:

Answer by Diana
Try the World Bank articles:

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFRREGTOPTEIA/Resources/peter_dzvimbo.pdf

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/NEWS/Resources/swimmingagainstthetide-march2009.pdf

The United Nations and IMF all have scholarly publications too:

http://www.imf.org/external/pubind.htm

https://unp.un.org/standingorder.aspx

Becker (University of Chicago) has written a lot of papers and also try the Economist publications-site search should find you something.

Interesting subject – good luck!!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GHRF2006: Human Capital and Economic Growth

Posted on January 31, 2012 by planbr

*Topic: Human Capital and Economic Growth *Speaker: – Robert J. Barro, Professor, Harvard University, USA *Summary: We have learned a lot over the last 15 years about the determinants of economic growth. Many factors influence economic growth, and there is no single silver bullet that is the key. The quality of education, reflected in international test scores, is one of the important factors that contribute to growth. In contrast, years of schooling, per se, do not seem to be a major determinant. Income inequality does not emerge as a major determinant of growth. However, there is some evidence that inequality is bad for growth in poor countries and good for growth in rich countries. One robust empirical finding is the property of conditional convergence. Holding fixed an array of growth determinants—ranging from the quality of schooling and health to the efficiency of legal institutions and market openness—countries tend to grow faster if they start out further behind. Since conditional works, poor countries that get their policies and institutions in good order can grow rapidly. The bad news is that poor countries only rarely manage to create policies and institutions that are effective and durable.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Economic Development Opportunities – Pearland, Texas

Posted on January 29, 2012 by planbr

Spring 2008 video promoting Pearland, Texas. Recognized as the 34th fastest growing city by Forbes Magazine (July 2007), the Pearland Economic Development Corporation aggressively recruits and incentivizes industrial, bio, nano and corporate facilities with cash grants. Please visit www.pearlandedc.com for more information or call us at (281)652-1627.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

The Yoakum, Texas Economic Development Corporation invites you to come to see what we have to offer businesses in the heavy machinery and oil and gas industries. We’re in a great place, and we want to share that good news with you!
Video Rating: 0 / 5

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Announces Second Phase of Strategic Refocus With $8 Million Expansion to Bioscience Park Center with 37,000-Square-Foot Accelerator

Posted on January 28, 2012 by planbr

Aurora, Colorado (PRWEB) December 12, 2011

In furtherance of its renewed commitment to support the growth of early-stage Colorado bioscience companies, especially those developing technologies from Colorado’s research institutions, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) is expanding its Bioscience Park Center building (BPC) with an $ 8 million, 37,000-square-foot accelerator facility, increasing the BPC in excess of 50 percent. The announcement is made by Denise Brown, FRA Interim Executive Director, who says, “The new accelerator space will be leased to companies in the modest growth stage. We have a number of companies in the BPC incubator ready to make this advancement in addition to interest from other companies, both in-state and out-of-state, as well.”

The FRA Board of Directors has been working with FRA staff, FRA’s real estate development partner Forest City Science + Technology Group, consultants and lenders for the past several months to finalize this expansion. Based on the team’s recommendation, the three-story accelerator will be built to the west of the current building with a new parking lot located to the north of BPC. Ground broke in October and construction has been progressing since, with completion expected by June, as recently reported in the Aurora Sentinel, http://www.aurorasentinel.com/email_push/news/article_95c4538e-1792-11e1-a67e-001cc4c03286.html

According to Brown, expansion of the BPC structure with the accelerator has these advantages:


FRA’s BPC site is adjacent to the University research facilities.
Tenants will have easy access to the amenities already in place at BCP, thereby eliminating the need to replicate conference rooms and other amenities in the expansion.
The expansion is capable of housing highly technical life science research and development activities
The expansion connecting to an existing building creates cost savings for tenants as compared to stand-alone new construction

Last month, as the first phase of its strategic refocus, FRA announced the restructure of its board to include bioscience industry leadership. Those additions include Donald M. Elliman, Jr., Executive Director of the Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology and current Director and former Chair of the Children’s Hospital Colorado Board of Directors; William Freytag, PhD, former Chairman and CEO of Myogen, Inc.; James C. T. Linfield, Partner-in-Charge of the Colorado office Cooley LLP; and David Perez, President and Chief Executive Officer of CaridianBCT, becoming TerumoBCT.

Just last week, the Aurora City Council announced three appointments to the FRA Board, including newly elected Mayor Steve Hogan and Councilwomen Melissa Miller and Marsha Berzins.

According to Elliman, quoted recently in the Denver Post: “The land north of Montview on the Fitzsimons property represents one of the great economic-development opportunities in Colorado, maybe the greatest in the state.” Visit: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_18108184

Further, as Brown said in Denver Business Journal news coverage last month, the expansion “should handle the expected 10 to 12 CU spinoffs coming out of the university each year.” Adding, “What we?re not seeing is relocating to the site by more mature companies…the board is doubling down and looking into what?s preventing it.? Visit http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/11/15/fitzsimons-authority-names-4-board.html

“As the Fitzsimons site has matured, it’s become clear to the FRA board that it needed to do more to support the growth of early-stage Colorado bioscience companies, especially those developing technologies from Colorado’s research institutions, with an emphasis on those technologies developed at the Anschutz Medical Campus. Accordingly, the FRA is now addressing the critical need to provide space for maturing bioscience companies with its accelerator expansion, as well as bringing bioscience-focused leadership to the board process in building new corporate partnerships and leveraging the strength of the Anschutz Medical Campus and the FRA’s real estate development partner, the Forest City Science + Technology Group,” Brown explains.

About the Colorado Science + Technology Park

The Colorado Science + Technology Park is the center of The Fitzsimons Life Science District, one of the nation?s largest bioscience developments and the heart of Colorado’s bioscience community.

About Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority

The FRA directs the commercial developments in the Fitzsimons Life Science District, along with its partner, Forest City Science + Technology Group. In this role, the FRA is dedicated to providing life science companies: an environment where they can thrive; success-enhancing resources like the District?s incubator facilities; and services that help form connections between private industry and the University of Colorado.

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ted McMeekin announces grants for local economic development initiatives

Posted on January 26, 2012 by planbr

HAMILTON May 6, 2011 — Ontario today announced a grant of 7500 in support of two community- based initiatives managed by the Hamilton Economic Summit (HES) under the auspices of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. This multi-year funding is the result of a successful application to the Communities in Transition (CiT) program administered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Hamilton Hive is a newly established network of local young professionals and entrepreneurs focused on business development and city building. It will receive up to 2500 over three years toward a staff resource and the cost of hosting an annual conference in the City of Hamilton. Renew Hamilton is digital media initiative that will document, promote and accelerate economic change now occurring in our lower city. The key deliverables include case studies of significant renewal projects transforming Hamilton and an accompanying educational curriculum. This initiative will receive up to 5000 over three years toward project coordination and production costs. “Hamilton continues to attract young professionals seeking business opportunities and a high quality of life,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. “This investment will help generate the next wave of jobs in our community.” Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, adds: “This is a major win for all parts of Hamilton as we continue to strengthen our overall appeal to people and business …
Video Rating: 0 / 5

National Grid has awarded nearly million to further develop and enhance two major economic development projects in Schenectady County. Schenectady County Legislator Vince DiCerbo joined with National Grid of the US President Tom King and Congressman Paul Tonko for the announcement.

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Economic Development Magazines

Posted on January 24, 2012 by planbr

This is Area Development Magazines 30 second spot. It appeared on a major cable news network throughout July and will appearing in future campaigns as well. Advertisers in Area Development Magazine benefit from the exposure Area Development recieves through it’s cable advertising campains.
Video Rating: 3 / 5

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lt Gov Reeves Picks Senate Committee Chiefs

Posted on January 23, 2012 by planbr

— Accountability Efficiency and Transparency: Nancy Collins, R-Tupelo; JP Wilemon, D-Belmont. — Agriculture: Billy Hudson, R-Hattiesburg; Russell Jolly, D-Houston. — Appropriations: Buck Clarke, R-Hollandale; Terry Burton, R-Newton. — Business and Financial Institutions: Gary Jackson, R-French Camp; JP Wilemon, D-Belmont. — Compilation, Revision and Publication: Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville; Dean Kirby, R-Pearl. — Congressional Redistricting: Merle Flowers, R-Southaven; Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville. — Constitution: Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula; Will Longwitz, R-Madison. — Corrections: Sampson Jackson, D-Preston; Lydia Chassaniol, R-Winona. — County Affairs: Nickey Browning, D-Pontotoc; Billy Hudson, R-Hattiesburg. — Drug Policy: David Jordan, D-Greenwood; Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula. — Economic Development: John Horhn, D-Jackson; Steve Hale, D-Senatobia. — Education: Gray Tollison, R-Oxford; Nancy Collins, R-Tupelo. — Elections: Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville; David Blount, D-Jackson. — Energy: Merle Flowers, R-Southaven; Giles Ward, R-Philadelphia. — Enrolled Bills: Alice Harden, D-Jackson; Kelvin Butler, D-McComb. — Environmental Protection Conservation and Water Resources: Tommy Gollott, R-Biloxi; Deborah Dawkins, D-Pass Christian. — Ethics: Bennie Turner, D-West Point; Gary Jackson, R-French Camp. — Executive Contingent Fund: Robert Jackson, D-Marks; Gray Tollison, R-Oxford. — Finance: Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall; Merle Flowers, R-Southaven. — Forestry: Melanie …
Video Rating: 0 / 5

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

City of Cincinnati is so violent, shootings etc…..weak city council, no biz development, solutions? econ etc?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by planbr

Question by Big Lance!: City of Cincinnati is so violent, shootings etc…..weak city council, no biz development, solutions? econ etc?
Cincinnati is in very poor shape! any cincinnatians or former residents that have opinions on the current state of affairs in cincinnati? this is a very violent city, the inner city was ranked the most violent in the country on www.msn.com. The city has no nightlife to speak of, you cant find a restaurant after 7pm, the downtown area is and has been in the sewer for years! The city council here has to offer incentives for corporations not too relocate such as free parking etc… cincinnati has no new business development, and businesses do not stay as they can move across the bridge/river to northern kentucky. the northern ky area is much safer, clean, and the active police presence is strong. the crime, lack of jail space, lack of funding for a larger jail, lack of biz development, future layoff of cops/firemen, and the homicide rates all contibute to this sense of apathy… people have fled to the burbs, businesses have as well as violent crime ruins the sense of safety etc. in general, the crime, lack of business development, lack of economic initiatives by city council whom focus on minority issues only all contribute to this downward spiral… businesses leave with no new biz development, the downtown area is in the sewer as their are many empty retail spots, dilapidated buildings, and panhandlers everywhere, along with storeowners being murdered after being robbed many times…. the crime situation, lack of population downtown, lack of biz, safety problems, lack of nightlife/restaurants/lack of economic development etc. all contribute to the decline economically. what do you do? we grew up here, but its unbearable, and instead of opening a business here, we want to leave and relocate! any opinions from current or former cincinnatians, or civic minded folks? do cities like this turn around? how? we live in a hollowed out, crime ridden city with a minority focused only form of government/city council. the violent crime is high, nightlife sucks, coporations leave, no new business startups, anchor stores have gone, and cops are being laid off etc.. this city is in the sewer! any solutions? do you stay n stick it out? or dip to a nicer, safer, cleaner city? this place is as bad detroit folks!

Best answer:

Answer by Shovel Ready
Whatever happened to WKRP? Loni Anderson could give Cincinnati a happy ending. And, hey, why is your airport in Kentucky?

What do you think? Answer below!

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments